Oracular Spectacular | MGMT | Ahh, what can I say?

Oracular Spectacular | MGMT | MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

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Oracular Spectacular

	Oracular Spectacular MGMT Sony, 2008 average customer review:based on 84 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

MGMT invites you to open your mind to the multi-dimensional vibrating Technicolor sounds of Oracular Spectacular.

Ahh, what can I say?

I first heard of MGMT on a local radio station. "Time to Pretend" started off strangely, and I fell in love with it. My 4-year old daughter loved their songs. Kids was catchy and addictive. I really love it when an album unexpectedly excites and interests me. I think MGMT has a winning formula, and I can't wait for their next album...

MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

Oracular Spectacular (2008, Red Ink) MGMT's first studio album. ****

The neo-psychedelia duo MGMT (made up of Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden) could have released a classic album. They could have. In fact, for a while, it seemed like they had done it; the first half of Oracular Spectacular, their debut album, it seems like MGMT have crafted something perfect.

The reality is, the Oracular Spectacular is lopsided, with all the beautiful gems showing themselves in the first half, and literally only the first half. With ten songs, "Time to Pretend" through "Kids" is a whirlwind of influences and originality, cleverly warped into one body and garnished with some very impressive and astute lyrics. "Time to Pretend" sounds like a lost anthem of a generation, a mix between the rebellion against the status quo of suburban life, yet yields the tragic consequences of the "live fast, die young" rock mentality. It's an eclectic blend of alternative pop as well as 60's pop. The true anthem, though, is "The Youth," with its beautiful and minimalist approach, the gorgeous falsetto as MGMT ask an important question; "The Youth are starting to change/Are you starting to change?" It is a testament to John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance" or "Imagine." The Beatles landscapes of "Weekend Wars," the disco beat and BeeJees stylings of "Electric Feel," and the alternative dance of "Kids" are all outstanding pieces. And it is on "Time to Pretend" and "Kids" where MGMT sounds at their most original, regardless of how well their influences play on others.

Despite all that, the second half of the album slips, starting immediately with "4th Dimensional Transition," steeped heavily in Middle Eastern and even rolling wild west approaches. "Pieces of What" fails to establish the hook it is looking for, and while none of the remaining songs are bad, they're certainly not what was promised in the album's opening act. Still, MGMT have proved that they are masters of neo-psychedlia, and perhaps a bit of time on the road will allow them to pen a few more ridiculously good tunes. (Time to Pretend, The Youth, Electric Feel)

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I'm in Management

I really like this management band for a few reasons. First, they play super cool alternative rock that I can quote to my country music friends to make them sound all stupid and stuff. I'm in management for my company so I can relate to what these cats are speaking about. There are times where Bob will call a 9am roundtable about garble reports and I'll just yell at him that it's time to pretend. When it's time to pretend, I pretend my office is a 17th century castle and I'm the King. I declare war on the other offices around me and go around passing gas in them. They don't like it, but I'm an awesome mammal.

There are songs on this I don't get, but let me clue you in on a little secret. I lack the intelligence needed to comprehend many things. I'm totally awesome and good looking, so I've moved up the corporate ladder. I make enough money to buy my band asschowder new instruments every crescent moon. We tour arby's locations throughout Iowa with wholesome angst polka. Average pulled me over and asked me directions to runza last week and I said, "I don't deal with you."

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funky flaming lips -- shame about the singing though

These tracks sound more than just a little like The Flaming Lips and that is not a bad thing at all. There's a creative energy from beginning to end and the band clearly has a sense of humor. So....I like this CD but personally I have a short tolerance for male falsetto singing (its too often a way to hide that the singer cannot actually carry a tune). Since every track has this high-pitched one-tone singing, the CD gets a few giant demerits. Please guys, try to actually sing on your next CD or just make funky instrumentals?

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Tracks
Time to Pretend | Weekend Wars | The Youth | Electric Feel | Kids | 4th Dimensional Transition | Pieces of What | Of Moons, Birds & Monsters | The Handshake | Future Reflections

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